110-year-old Miya Sarfaraz from Jammu and kashmir is the oldest to perform Haj

First flight carrying 49,675 pilgrims to land in Jeddah on December 3

Most of the Indians would be accommodated near Haram mosque in Mecca

Haj Committee of India to send 1 lakh hajis while 50,000 are expected to undertake the pilgrimage through private operators

Dubai:
A two-year-old boy from Andhra Pradesh will be the youngest Indian to perform Haj while 110-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir will be the oldest among the nearly 1.5 lakh pilgrims from the country.

Manar Moin Khan, a two-year-old boy, from Andhra Pradesh will be the youngest Haj pilgrim this year while 110-year-old Miya Sarfaraz from Anantnag will be the oldest to perform Haj, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia M O H Farooq said.

Elaborate arrangements

The oldest woman pilgrim is also from Jammu and Kashmir -- 106-year-old Zeba Begum. A liason officer will remain with them round-the-clock, Farooq was quoted as saying by the `Arab News.'

Consul General Ausuf Sayeed said the first flight carrying Indian pilgrims will arrive in Jeddah on December 3 and 49,675 pilgrims will be directly flown to Madina.

Quota increased

As many as 339 flights, including 139 by Air India, will be operated this year, he said adding that most of the Indians will be accommodated near the Haram Mosque in Mecca.

Elaborate arrangements had been made to strengthen medical team in Mecca and the strength of the medical team has been increased from last year's 380 to 508, Farooq said.

Medicines worth Rs. 1.5 crores has been already procured, he said adding that three Internet cafes were also set up for the pilgrims.

These extra measures come after Saudi Arabia increased the quota of Indian pilgrims coming through Haj Committee of India to 1 lakh. Another 50,000 Indians undertake the Haj thorugh private operators. - PTI